Japan Olympics chief says Asian Games organisers must reflect after operational problems

Seiko Hashimoto, the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, has urged Asian Games organizers to reflect on their preparation for the recent multi-sport event. The organizers had budgeted for 15,000 athletes and officials, but the actual number of participants rose to around 17,000, causing significant operational challenges. Hashimoto told a press conference in Nagoya that dealing with the additional athletes had been extremely difficult, resulting in inconvenience for the competitors.

The athletes were housed in a variety of accommodations, including hotels, temporary wooden containers, and a cruise ship to save costs. This spread-out setup created transportation difficulties, with several national team delegations reporting double-booked rooms and incorrect assignments, as well as transport issues that hampered athletes' preparation for competitions.

Asian Games Organising Committee Secretary General Satoshi Murate had previously apologized for the accommodation and transport mishaps, attributing them to a late influx of athletes and officials.

Hashimoto emphasized that even when faced with uncontrollable circumstances, anticipating potential issues and preparing for them beforehand is crucial for the successful operation of the Games. She noted that addressing these challenges will be one of the primary tasks for the organization moving forward.